I am pretty much a new gardner, but i've fallen in love with it. I've been growing herbs for a few years, mostly for the butterflies, and some for me.

There is a local farm stand that has everything, except herbs. i am considering asking them if they want to sell herbs.

I am looking at this to make a little extra money (i'm not trying to get rich). I can't have a major time commitment- i have a regular 40 hr job, and would wnat to work on this for about 5 hours/week. (Ultimately, i'd love to support myself, but i don't have the inclination/experience/resources to consider that an option right now). I was thinking of providing about 7 or 8 basic herbs, and whatever he/they would request. There are a few more outlets around here, a few restaurants and a very small farmers market.

Do you think it would be worth it to attempt this? I don't want to go out and get a biz name at this point, really the only thing i ahve to lose is a growing season and the $$ i put into seeds. Basically, i'm asking you if i'm nuts for trying to do something on such a small basis, with minimal experience?

Thank you for your comments.
Angie

The problem is that Saturday market alone is 5-6 hours and you have not yet picked or grown anything.

I also would wait on restauraunts until you ar sure on the quanity/quality you can provide. You don't want to alienate future customers.

Bob

It was also interesting having to come up with ways to use all the unwanted herbs when I came home from the market! Something you have to think about.

Oh, and keep good records. We failed on this last year so I cannot give you great advice. But next year, I'll be able to quote you exact numbers.

The organizers are easy to find, not very expensive and they are plastic so they last forever. I thought it was a great idea and I would copy it if we still did fresh cut! lol

Here it is considered processing and as far as I have yet been able to find out is not covered under the "Home produced items" rules.

It does not make sense, we are allowed to make jam and sell it or tomatoe sauce as long as it is labled "This item is home produced" but dring herbs is not allowed as herbs are not a "high acid" item.

Our state has just come up with farmers market regulations and you are supposed to attend the home processing classes in order to sell fresh cut herbs! You can sell lettuce without it, but you better go to school to sell basil! I think that's strange.

Everything is worthwhile. As long as you do it well and intelligently. Most mom and pop buinesses start "small".

I think the real key is finding your own niche. I don't think growing commodity herbs in commodity forms is going to help you even break even. As evident here, everybody has a different -- and VERY creative -- way of doing things. You need to know YOUR market and you need to find a way to get that market excited about your product. Don't get trapped into thinking you're just a "grower"; you have to be a marketer, too.

chinamigarden has a good idea: ask the farmer at the stand what HE wants. Essentially he's your customer. But beware: he doesn't offer herbs for a reason. And although it may be because he never thought of it or because he doesn't know how to grow herbs, it may also be because he tried it once and it failed miserably. Or it could be that he'll tell you what HE likes but hasn't a clue what his customers really want.

Have you thought, too, about growing small live herb plants in liners (2-1/4" pots), up to 4" pots? This is one of the hottest items in the FM's here. (As long as it's not basil -- almost every vegetable farmer has some of that for sale.)

Do something special, almost unique. Do something nobody else is doing yet everybody (well, at least lots of customers) wants.

Joe

I can't sell dried herbs at my local market unless they were dried in a certified kitchen.

These Cards have been sold to many Nurseries throughout the U.S. in the greenhouse industry and farmer market vendors. We ourselves have sold out on over 200 gallons of herbs and numerous trays of them within 3 days of our 7 day only sales. The cards start out with a "cute, funny or catchy question or phrase to capture the customers attentions and continues on to state a short description on how the herb benefits them medicinally along with what part to use and how to use it.

Someone said here, people don't buy herbs because they don't know what they are for or how to use them! this is so true...and the Talking Plant cards take care of that! Customers are not only amused, but informed. Each series is only $12. Now if you sold just 2-3 gallons of herbs..that covers the cost of the cards real fast! We made over $3,000 in 3 days just selling herbs with the help of these cards...and so have many other Nurseries and growers that have used them!

For instance for the herb card Wormwood: "Wormwood says...Are You bugging me?" I'm the best thing you have to repel insects in your garden, around your plants and on you! i also have been known to cure intestinal worms for years! Steep my leaves for tea for fast results and healing or place me around your garden!

Now, if you would like to see a sample card and really want to start selling herbs...please e-mail me and I will send you a sample and how to attain the full series.

Hope this helps you all!